Lug strap for loom picker sticks



March 9, 1937. H. J. BARNETT LUG STRAP FOR LOOM PICKER STICKS Filed Oct.17, 1934 Patented Mar. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in lugstraps for use with thepicker-sticks of looms.

One object of the invention is to provide a metal lug-strap ofrelatively light weight which 5 is stronger and more durable in use thanthe usual straps made from rawhide, leather, fiber or laminated stripsof fabric.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lug-strap of the typeindicated reinforced against strain and stress and embodying a buffer orshock-absorbing element to relieve the wear and deteriorating effectfrom the impact of the shuttle on the picker-stick.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lug-strap of the typeindicated having an improved construction of the shock-absorbing elementor buffer-plug whereby to reduce the wear thereon while rendering itmore eificient and durable in use over long periods.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lug-strap of the typeindicated which is more economical to manufacture than present types ofstraps now in use.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the followingspecification which describes a preferred form of construction of theinvention, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanyingdrawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of my improved lug-strap showing it partlybroken away at the side to illustrate the bufier-plug located in itsclosed end;

Fig. 2 is a side view illustrating the lug-strap connections foroperating the picker-stick of the loom;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a detailed edge view of the pickersticl; showing the hold-upmember applied thereto for retaining the strap in position relatively ofthe stick;

Fig. 5 is a composite perspective view of the parts of the buffer-plugor shock absorber shown in disassembled relationship; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a modification in the form ofconstruction of the plug.

In accordance with present mill practice the lug-straps forpicker-sticks of looms are constructed from rawhide, leather, fiber orlaminated strips of duck or canvas fabric cemented together. It is wellknown to those versed in the weaving art that lug-straps are subjectedto severe wear and in accordance with present methods of constructionthey have only a short life and require frequent replacement. Theleather, fiber or fabric from which the straps are constructed becomeschafed and worn from contact with the picker-sticks and under thecontinuous hammering-action of the shuttles the fabric or other materialsoon gives way and the strap must be discarded and replaced by a newone. The present invention contemplates the construction of the strapfrom sheet-metal such as aluminum, steel or other like material of hightensile strength and treated to prevent corrosion under the dampconditions in mills.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 illustrates the improved strap 2 ascomprising a strip of sheetmetal bent into substantially U-shape toprovide opposite parallel sides or arms 3-3, connected by an end piece4. To reinforce and stiffen the structure, the side arms 3 are formedthroughout a portion of their length with upper and lower flanges 5folded outwardly from their edges. At the closed end of the strap theflanges 5 merge into extensions 6 of the rear wall or connecting strip4, thereby increasing the dimension of this part of the strap to furtheraugment the strength of the whole. The flanges 5, besides serving as areinforcement for the sides of the strap, have a further importantfunction, namely, to prevent wear on the hold-up member which supportsthe strap in operative relation to the picker-stick in the manner aslater explained.

The forward end of the sides or arms 3 of the strap 2 are provided withslots or openings 1 for thelreception of a stud or bolt 8 connecting thestrap to a wooden bar or arm 9 from which the picker-stick is operated.As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, the wooden arm 8 is linked toa fabric or leather loop ID by means of a bolt H and clamps [2. The loopIll engages through a metal shackle or clevis I3 which is connected to alever, not shown, for operating the picker-stick from the usualcam-motion in the loom.

The bolt 8 which connects the strap 2 to the wooden arm 9 passes throughclamping plates M abutting the sides of the arms 3 and having flanges atthe top and bottom engaging across the edges thereof to hold the platesin position. Preferably, the inner faces of the arms 3 of the strap 2are provided with a plurality of protuberances It: struck up from themetal by indenting the outer faces thereof as shown at 5.. Theseprotuberances act as spurs to indent the wood of the arm 9 to effect asecure grip of the strap on the arm without chance of slippage shouldthe bolt 8 become loosened.

As one feature of the present improvement the buffer-plug I! at theclosed end of the strap 2is constructed of rubber or an equivalentresilient material and protected by one or more sheaths of metal. Asshown in Fig. 5 of the drawing, the plug ll takes the form of agenerally cubical block having one of its sides convexed 4 or roundedoutwardly at l8. The material of the plug is skived or cut away on itssides at 19 to receive the triangularly-shaped lateral wings 22 of ametal sheath or protector 20. The

sheath 20 has a concavo-convex wall 2| adapted to fit closely againstthe convex face l8 of the block or plug i? with its triangularly-shapedside wings 22 overlapping the sides thereof within the cut-out portionsI9. A rivet 23 is passed through countersunk openings 24 in the wings 22of the sheath 20 and through a laterally extending hole 26 in the plugII, the ends of the rivet being thereafter headed over flush with thesides of the sheath.

In some cases the resilient plug I1 is further sheathed with a metalplate 21 abutting its rearward face and having lateral flanges 28 foldedacross its sides. The flanges 28 are provided with apertures 29registering with holes 30, extending laterally through the plug ll. Theplug I1 is positioned at the closed end of the strap 2 as illustrated inFigs. 1 and 2 and connected permanently therewith by means of rivets 3!pass-,

ing through holes in the sides of the strap and the holes 29 in thesheath 21 and the plug I l. A secure joinder of the parts isthuseffected and the surfaces of the rubber or other resilient materialwhich are subject to contact are completely sheathed with metal toprevent disintegration or distortion of the plug.

Fig. 6 illustrates a modified form of construction of the buffer-plug orblock II. In this a1- te'rnative form a portion of the block may be madeof rubber vulcanized to greater hardness than the forward cushionportion of the block; or in other cases this rearward portion may bemade of metal. In either case the forward, more resilient section 32 ofthe block is vulcanized or cemented to the rearward section 33. Therearward portion 3 3 of the plug, when made of rubber, may be reinforcedwith strips of fabric embeddedtherem as indicated by broken lines inFig. 6.

In applying the lug-strap to the loom it is joined to the wooden arm 9in the manner as described with its looped end enclosing the picker-stick 35; A hold-up member 36 of usual form is fastened-to therearward side of the stick 3 and, as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 4,its sides are cut away to receive the flanged portions of the arms 3 ofthe strap 2. It will be noted by reference to this latter View of thedrawing that theflanges 5 on the sides 3 of the strap 2- engage with theupper and lower edges of the cutout portions ofthe hold-up member 36,thereby providing extended bearing surfaces which reduce the Wear bothonthe strap and the holdup. Usually, the hold-up member 36 isconstructed of rawhide, fiber or the like and secured to the side of thepicker-stick 35 by means of wood screws 31.

In use, the lug-strap ismoved from thecammotion to actuate thepicker-stick 35 with a quick, sharp. motion tothrowthe shuttle throughthe. shedof the warp in the loom. This action is intermittent andcontinuous so that the lugstrapis subjected toconsiderable strain andextremely severewear. The strap of the present invention, being made ofmetal, is highly resistant to the strains and stresses imposed upon it,besides being proof against. stretching or distortion. At the same time,its smooth sides are not. liable towear orcut into the picker-stick,especiallysince theedges of its arms are turned over in the flanges 5which provide smooth,

rounded corners. The shock and jar. of the quick actuation of thepicker-stick is taken by the resilient buffer-plug or block I! with themetal sheath 20 protecting the yieldable material of the plug from wearunder the contact of the picker-stick 35. Likewise, the rearward face ofthe plug or block I1 is protected by the metal shield or-sheathll or, inother instances, by forming a section of the block of harder material asillustrated in Fig. 6..

By the features above noted the present invention provides an extremelystrong lug-strap which is practically proof against deterioration fromwearunder the constant pounding action of the picker-stick. No lining ofwood, fiber or other resilient material is employed on the sides of thestrap, yet the picker-stick is protected from wear and cutting undercontact with the arms of the strap. The resilient buffer-plug I1 is alsoprotected from the impact of the stick to render it more durable in useand to further prevent its disintegration to reduce its cushioningeffect. The flangesat the edges of the arms of the strap prevent cuttingor marring the sides of the pickerstick, avoid wear on the hold-up andfurther reinforce the whole structure of the strap.

While my improved lug-strap is herein shown and described as embodied ina preferred form of construction, various modifications may be made inthe shape and-arrangement of its parts without departing from the spiritor scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in thisrespect, I claim:

1., In, combination, a metal lug-strap comprising opposite parallel armsjoined together in a loop'at one end, a rubber buffer-plug seated in thelooped end of the strap, a metal sheath covering the forward contactface and two sides of the plug adjacent the contact face, and means forholdingthe sheath and plug in assembled relation in the loop of thestrap.

'2. In combination, a metal-lug-strap comprising opposite arms connectedat one end in a loop, a rubber plug-seatedin the closed end of thestrap, said plug formed with a convex forward face, a sheathofconcavo-convex form overlyingin a loop, aresilient plugseated in theclosed end of the loop, a metal sheath overlying the forward side of theplug, a second metal sheath overlying the rearward end of-the plug, andmeans for securingthe sheaths to the plug and the plug to the strap.

4. In combination, a metal lug-strap comprising opposite arms joinedtogether at one end in a loop with flangesfoldedoutwardly from the edgesof the arms and merging into the rearward wall of; theloop, a' resilientplug seated in the closed end of the loop-and having a convex end forengagementv withthe picker-stick, a metal sheath overlying the convexend of the plug, and means for securing the. plug in place in the strap.

5. In combination, a metal lug-strap having oppositeparallellarms joinedtogether at one end in a closed loop, a buffer-plug seated in the closedend of theloop, said plug comprising a forward section of, resilientmaterial and a rearward section of hardermaterialabutting the rearwardwall of the strap, and a metallic sheath on the plug for engagement withthe picker-stick.

HERBERT J. BARNE'I'I.

